The British decimal twenty-five pence (25p) coin was a commemorative denomination of sterling coinage issued in four designs between 1972 and 1981. These coins were a post-decimalisation continuation of the traditional crown, with the same value of a quarter of a pound. Uniquely in British decimal coinage, the coins do not have their value stated on them. This is because previous crowns rarely did so. The British regular issue coin closest to the coin's nominal value is the twenty pence coin.
The coins were issued for commemorative purposes and were not intended for circulation, although they remain legal tender and are accepted at Post Offices. The coins weigh and have a diameter of 38.61 mm. The coins were minted in Copper-Nickel. There were 4 designs.
Twenty-five pence coin issues were discontinued after 1981 due to the prohibitive cost to the Royal Mint of producing such large coins with such small value. From 1990 the "crown" was revived as the commemorative five pound coin, having the same dimensions and weight but a value twenty times as great. The two can be distinguished because the five pound coin is marked with its value.
Designs
The following 25p coins were produced:
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|1972 issue
| To celebrate the Silver wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Obverse: The standard portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin with the inscription .
Reverse: The initials EP crowned and with a floral garland, with a naked figure of Eros at the centre. The inscription reads:
.
This face was also designed by Arnold Machin.
Both faces are encircled by dots. The edge of the coin is milled. There were 7,452,100 cupronickel coins and 100,000 silver coins issued.
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|1977 issue
| To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee.
Obverse: A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II riding a horse, in a similar style to the 1953 crown celebrating her coronation. The inscription reads .
Reverse: A design showing coronation regalia. The Ampulla and Anointing Spoon used in the Queen's coronation are displayed crowned, and encircled by a floral border. These objects date from the 14th and 12th centuries respectively and have remained in continuous use.
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Both faces were designed by Arnold Machin. The edge of the coin is milled. There were 37,061,160 cupronickel coins
See also
- Quarter sovereign – introduced in 2009, it has a nominal value of 25 pence